Have a Nice Day - No Problem!: A Dictionary of Cliches ANNOTATION
The newest, biggest, and most informative collection of cliches. With 3,000 cliches, this new title in the Plume Books for Word Watchers series goes from square one to the last word on the subject. Among the many pleasures of this fascinating compendium of nearly 2,500 mini-essays is its exploration of their origin and history.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
A labor of love by a lexicographer and reference editor, this book examines some 3000 familiar expressions. First, a plain meaning is given for a term, like ``singularly rare'' for scarce as hen's teeth . Next follow informed remarks on history ( sink or swim began as float or sink ), though, as the author notes, the derivation of many cliches is unclear. Whether a cliche is still popular or fading is also noted. Examples of use in sources both famous (the Bible, Shakespeare, O. Henry) and obscure (S. Ford's Inez and Trilby , 1921) are generous, but out of context these snippets give little feel for actual use. Entries are on average longer than those in Eric Partridge's Dictionary of Cliches (Routledge, 1978. 5th ed.) or Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable (HarperCollins, 1989. 14th ed.). Recommended for random dipping or quick reference.-- William A. Donovan, Chicago P.L.
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